At Least 20 Christians Murdered by Car Bomber at Easter Mass

Zee News reported today that at least 50 people were killed when explosives concealed in two cars went off near a church during Easter Sunday services in the northern Nigerian city of Kaduna.

Residents speculated that the explosives were placed in a badly-mangled car (AFP/File, Aminu Abubakar)

A car bombing near a church in northern Nigeria killed 20 worshippers today at Easter service. AFP reported:

A car bombing near a church in northern Nigeria on Easter Sunday killed at least 20 people and put the country on alert over fears of further attacks, rescue officials and residents said. The explosion, a stark reminder of Christmas Day attacks that left dozens of people dead in Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer, hit the city of Kaduna, a major cultural and economic centre in the north.

Motorcycle taxi drivers and passers by appeared to have borne the brunt of the blast, and body parts littered the area. As news of the attack spread, security forces boosted patrols in key areas, including in the capital Abuja, where soldiers were sent to reinforce police posted near churches, an AFP correspondent reported.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Details were still emerging of the attack, but at least one car said to be driven by a suicide bomber was believed involved. A rescue official speaking on condition of anonymity said two vehicles packed with explosives detonated.

“Now we have 20 dead from the twin explosions,” the rescue official, who was not authorised to speak publicly, told AFP. Officials were still counting the number of wounded, he added. “Bombs concealed in two cars went off just opposite this church,” he said.

People gather at the site of an explosion in Kaduna, northern Nigeria on Sunday, April 8, 2012. (Bloomberg)

Nigerian operatives of the State Security Service(SSS) discovered 60 Improvised Explosive Devices planted in different locations at the British Cotton Ginnery Area (BCGA) of the metropolis this week that could could have led to one of the bloodiest Easter celebrations in recent times in Gombe State.